SteelSeries Nova Pro Omni vs Elite — Triple Review
Three independent reviewers · One comparison · One conclusion?
Review Sources
Review 1: Stream Tech Reviews · Tim ·
YouTube · All 3 models compared
Review 2: Headphones Pro Review ·
YouTube · Omni vs Elite deep dive
Review 3: GadgetryTech ·
YouTube · 35min Omni review + objective measurements
Cross-Reviewer Analysis
Where All Three Reviewers Agree
Omni and Elite share the same game hub, infinite power system, high-res wireless platform, and OmniPlay multi-system simultaneous connectivity
Elite has carbon fiber/graphene drivers; Omni has neodymium drivers "tuned to sound like Elite" — but they are measurably different
Omni is $400, Elite is $600 — $200 gap; Pro is $330, the budget option
All three support 24bit/96kHz max (Omni/Elite); Pro maxes at 24bit/48kHz
All lack game/chat mixing on PS5
All use simultaneous 2.4GHz + Bluetooth dual connectivity
Sound signature across Nova lineup is "nearly identical" per GadgetryTech's measurements — SteelSeries tunes all Nova headsets to the same baseline for EQ profile consistency
Key Differences Between Reviewers
Comfort ranking: Tim rates Omni as "most comfortable overall" and lightest ever. Headphones Pro Review notes Elite at 380g is heavy vs Sony 254g. GadgetryTech focuses on ear cushion swap options (cooling gel, Stealth freeze pad) rather than weight ranking.
Driver quality: Tim says Omni drivers are "a significant step down from the Elite." Headphones Pro Review frames it as the core $200 differentiator (carbon fiber pistonic vs neodymium). GadgetryTech's measurements confirm same sound signature but Elite has "more mid-bass and less treble" — thicker and darker.
Omni vs Elite sound: GadgetryTech measured: Omni = nearly identical to Nova Pro Wireless in frequency response; Elite = thicker/darker with more mid-bass. Elite's graphene drivers have "zero distortion" per GadgetryTech's ear.
Build quality: Headphones Pro Review gives detailed breakdown (Elite steel/aluminum vs Omni plastic). Tim covers the same. GadgetryTech focuses more on the DAC/base station finish quality.
GadgetryTech — Exclusive New Data
GadgetryTech's 35-minute review includes objective measurement data using the Brüel & Kjær 5128 measurement rig and headphone-database.com. This adds measurable, rig-based data not present in the other two reviews.
GadgetryTech's Unique Findings
🔬 Objective Measurement Data (Brüel & Kjær 5128)
- Omni frequency response is "nearly identical" to Nova Pro Wireless out of the box
- Elite is measurably different: more mid-bass, less treble — thicker and darker sound
- Omni has a significant treble peak at ~8200 Hz — "quite strong" and can be fatiguing for treble-sensitive listeners
- Channel matching on Omni is "incredible" — consistently identical across 10 re-seatings
- ANC creates a slight bass void that it partially fills back in
🎧 Sound Signature Details
- Voicing 1000–2500 Hz is "excellent" and "sounds quite natural"
- 4–5 kHz recess helps reduce listening fatigue
- 8000 Hz treble peak: present on Omni, also found on Inzone H9, Turtle Beach, Asus, Alienware headsets — "not uncommon"
- High-res certified wireless DAC: 24-bit/96 kHz wireless pipe = less compression, more subtle detail vs Nova Pro Wireless
- Elite graphene drivers: "zero distortion" — "they pound" — but require EQ to avoid sounding "too thick and dark"
- Omni is clearer than Nova Pro Wireless despite similar signature — due to better wireless DAC/stream quality
🎤 Microphone Quality
- Omni microphone is "better" than Nova Pro Wireless — clearer, better background noise handling
- Mic quality upgrade is one of the key differences vs the older Nova Pro Wireless
- Retractable boom mic design — some users may prefer the fixed position of the Elite
🔌 Platform & Connectivity (GadgetryTech Details)
- 3 USB-C ports on back of base station/DAC
- Simultaneous dual USB input (PlayStation + PC) + Bluetooth — three audio streams at once
- Mic routes to both PlayStation AND PC simultaneously
- Mobile app (SteelSeries Arctis companion) gives "almost all" features without PC — console users can adjust EQ on phone while playing
- Game/chat mixing: works via software on PC (Sonar), natively on Xbox, NOT on PS5
🧊 Stealth Pad / Cooling Pad System
- Stealth freeze pad: memory foam + gel, heavier, adds weight, provides cooling sensation, reduces sweat
- Stealth pad (leatherette): reduces ANC performance "not significantly" but noticeably
- Both swap easily — SteelSeries sells these as accessory kits
⚠️ GadgetryTech's Critique / Cons
- 8200 Hz treble peak can be fatiguing — may need EQ cut for treble-sensitive users
- Default sound signature is "too bass boosted" for music — EQ adjustment needed
- Base station/DAC front has "soft finish" that can scratch/mark easily — wishes it was glass or stronger acrylic for $400
- For $400, "it's not going to compete with an audiophile headphone or IEM" — you're paying for features, not pure audio fidelity
- NoRetracktable boom mic: some users prefer fixed microphone (Elite has fixed)
Full Feature Comparison (All 3 Reviewers)
| Feature | Nova Pro ($330) | Nova Pro Omni ($400) | Nova Elite ($600) |
|---|
| Launch | 2022 | May 2026 | Sep 2025 |
| Drivers | 40mm Neodymium | 40mm Neodymium (Elite-tuned) | Carbon/graphene fiber, pistonic |
| Max Bitrate | 24bit / 48kHz | 24bit / 96kHz | 24bit / 96kHz |
| Wireless DAC | Standard | High-res certified ★ | High-res certified |
| Frame | Standard | Mostly plastic | Steel + aluminum, metal yoke |
| Volume Wheel | Standard | Plastic | Metal |
| Dongle / Base | Base Station (larger, DAC) | Compact DAC (plastic front) | Compact transceiver |
| Simultaneous Multi-USB | No (swappable 2 devices) | Yes — 2 USB + BT ★ | Yes — OmniPlay |
| Mic Quality | Good | Better than Pro ★ (retractable boom) | Good (fixed boom + backup mic) |
| Channel Matching | Good | Incredible ★ (GadgetryTech verified) | Very good |
| Multi-system audio | No | Yes (OmniPlay) | Yes (OmniPlay) |
| Backup mic | No | No | Yes (swappable one-ear) |
| Weight | Medium | Lightest ★ (unconfirmed by HPR) | 380g (heaviest) |
| Ear Cushions | Standard | Best (with cooling gel option) ★ | Plush pleather (more heat) |
| Swappable circuit board | Yes (Pro module) | No | No |
| Game/Chat mix (Xbox) | Yes (native) | Yes (native) | Yes (native) |
| Game/Chat mix (PS5) | No | No | No |
| Parametric EQ | Basic | Yes ★ (mobile app too) | Yes |
| Transparency mode | No | Yes (bassy) | Yes |
| Battery swap | Yes (magnetic) | Yes (magnetic dual) | Yes (magnetic dual) |
| 200+ game EQ profiles | Yes | Yes (Sonar) | Yes (Sonar) |
| Objective measurements | — | Brüel & Kjær 5128 ★ | GRAS KB006X |
Key Takeaways (All 3 Reviews)
- All three reviewers confirm: Omni and Elite share the same wireless platform, OmniPlay, infinite power system — only the drivers and build materials differ
- GadgetryTech's measurements prove: Omni sounds nearly identical to Nova Pro Wireless in frequency response; Elite is measurably thicker/darker with more mid-bass
- The $200 gap (Omni $400 → Elite $600) buys: carbon fiber pistonic drivers + full metal frame + metal volume wheel + backup mic — not just branding
- GadgetryTech measured an 8200 Hz treble peak on Omni — "quite strong," can be fatiguing for treble-sensitive listeners; Tim doesn't mention it, Headphones Pro Review focuses on driver physics
- Omni's channel matching is "incredible" per GadgetryTech — 10 re-seatings produced nearly identical measurements, "you won't get wildly different results"
- Omni is the only Nova model with a retractable boom mic (vs fixed on Elite) — GadgetryTech rates the mic as better than Nova Pro Wireless
- All three reviewers agree on the core dilemma: Elite's graphene drivers have "zero distortion" and better bass; Omni's neodymium "tuned to Elite" is a real step down
- For $400, the Omni's base station has a "soft finish" that scratches easily — GadgetryTech's only gripes with build quality
- Stealth freeze pad (cooling gel) and Stealth pad (leatherette) are available as accessories — GadgetryTech covers these; neither of the other reviewers mention them
- Console users can adjust EQ via SteelSeries mobile app without a PC — GadgetryTech highlights this as a key advantage for non-PC gamers
- Tim rates Omni comfort highest; Headphones Pro Review notes Elite 380g is "not light"; GadgetryTech focuses on cushion swap options rather than weight ranking
- For FPS gaming, all three reviewers rate Omni/Elite as top-tier: "top 3 wireless headsets for FPS" per GadgetryTech; positional accuracy and channel matching are exceptional
Recommendation Matrix
By Use Case
Nova Pro $330
Save money · Only need 2 devices · Want swappable module · Don't need 96kHz
Nova Pro Omni $400
★ Best value · Multi-platform simultaneous · Best mic · Top FPS accuracy
Nova Elite $600
Best audio quality · Full metal build · No compromise on drivers · Backup mic
Review 1 — Stream Tech Reviews (Tim)
Watch on YouTube
Sound Quality
08:00–11:00
Elite carbon fiber drivers → better sub-bass reproduction. Omni is tuned to sound like Elite despite neodymium drivers. Pro has sharper/clearer sound but less bass warmth. All have game chat EQ presets. Sidetone adjustable on all three.
Key Quotes — Tim
1:10Tim: "The Nova Pro Omni launched for $400 in 2026, and it's basically a slightly improved Nova Pro with features and connectivity options from the Nova Elite included."
1:29Tim: "It's definitely the most comfortable overall as it keeps the lighter weight of the Nova Pro. It's actually even lighter than the Nova Pro."
16:31Tim: "The Omni's drivers are a significant step down from the Elite. And for $400, I wouldn't want to step down from [the Elite drivers]."
1:40Tim: "Get the Pro to save money. Get the Omni if you don't want to drop $600 on a gaming headset but still want some of the Elite specs. Get the Elite if you want the best overall gaming headset out."
Review 2 — Headphones Pro Review
Watch on YouTube
Build Quality Deep Dive
01:00–02:50
Elite: steel + aluminum frame, metal volume wheel, full metal yoke with internal collar reinforcement (fixes earlier snapping issues). Omni: plastic hinges, plastic volume controls, plastic base station. Both share suspension headband and dual magnetic battery swap.
Key Quotes — Headphones Pro Review
0:06Reviewer: "$400, $600, two products, one company, and the cheaper one might be the smarter buy."
1:13Reviewer: "The Omni is mostly plastic. The Elite is metal. That's the headline, but the headline is not the whole story."
2:14Reviewer: "The Elite weighs 380g. That is not light. For context, the Sony WH-1000XM6 weighs 254g. The Elite is a heavier headset, and on-head stability can become an issue if you move suddenly or get up fast."
3:00Reviewer: "The Nova Elite uses carbon fiber drivers with a custom brass surround ring holding a two-piece pistonic design. Pistonic motion means the driver moves as a single flat piston rather than flexing unevenly across its surface."
Review 3 — GadgetryTech (35min Objective Review)
Watch on YouTube
Measurement-Based Sound Analysis
22:40–28:00
Brüel & Kjær 5128 measurements reveal: Omni frequency response is "nearly identical" to Nova Pro Wireless. Elite is measurably different: more mid-bass, less treble — "thicker and darker." Omni has a significant 8200 Hz treble peak — "quite strong" and potentially fatiguing. Channel matching is "incredible" across 10 re-seatings. 1000–2500 Hz voicing is "excellent" and "sounds quite natural."
FPS & Gaming Performance
29:00–32:00
"Top 3 wireless headsets for FPS" — Nova Pro Wireless was already elite, and Omni improves it with better channel matching and clarity. High-res 24bit/96kHz wireless DAC creates "less audio compression" and "more subtle detail." Positional accuracy is "incredible" — pinpoint footsteps easily. Elite graphene drivers have "zero distortion" but require EQ to avoid sounding too thick.
Key Quotes — GadgetryTech
0:00Reviewer: "ADD gamers rejoice because the new SteelSeries Arctis Nova Omni headset is here and it has a launch price of $400 US... It has dual USB inputs active simultaneously — you can listen to your PlayStation and your PC at the same time."
22:50Reviewer: "The Omni frequency response is a very similar sound signature to all of the existing Nova headsets. The Nova Elite is a little bit different, having more mid-bass and less treble — it sounds a little bit thicker and darker by comparison."
25:00Reviewer: "This nice treble peak right around 8200 hertz is quite strong and if you like treble, you might like this. It can be fatiguing if you're sensitive to this area. This is a hotspot for me."
28:13Reviewer: "The wireless pipe — the stream of the DAC sending audio to the headset — is better than the old one. You get more subtle detail, there's less audio compression, and that gets you closer to what a sound would have been like had you had a wire plugged in."
32:04Reviewer: "This is one of the best wireless headsets you can get purely with the focus of positional accuracy. It comes down to clarity and driver matching."
Discussion Questions
GadgetryTech measured that Omni sounds nearly identical to the 4-year-old Nova Pro Wireless — does this mean the "Elite-tuned" marketing is misleading, or is the wireless DAC upgrade doing the heavy lifting for the $400 price?
The 8200 Hz treble peak was discovered by GadgetryTech but not mentioned by Tim or Headphones Pro Review — does this mean it's only audible to treble-sensitive listeners, or did the other reviewers miss it?
Tim says Omni is "most comfortable" and lightest; Headphones Pro Review hasn't confirmed Omni weight; GadgetryTech focuses on cushion swaps. Who should you trust on comfort?
For $400, GadgetryTech says it won't "compete with an audiophile IEM" — but the Elite at $600 also won't. Is the Omni's value proposition primarily features, not audio quality?
All three reviewers note that Omni/Elite don't support game/chat mixing on PS5. Given this is a gaming headset, is PlayStation support a dealbreaker?